Issue of June 6, 1997: Volume 80, Number Eight
Click on a story title to see the text of the story
News
Blood drive nets multiple pints
Colton student beats the odds
Emily Le May elected ASB prexy
Graduation speakers named
UNITY conference a blast
Vivian Shaw says farewell
Opinion
A very good year
He said column/ASB Cards
How to succeed at Colton High
She said column/ASB Cards
The Pepper shaker column-6/7/97
The Unknown Child
Think of Us for a change
Features
Do something this summer
Home schooling an alternative
School to work program
Shadow Day
Sometimes, they come back
Spamorama column 6/7/97
Summer School
Volunteering
Diversions
Wu-Tang Clan CD review
Foo Fighters CD review
Addicted to Love film review
Lost World movie review
En Español (Los Detalles)
Adios, Amigos (en Español)
Punto de Vista (en Español)
Sports
End of year sports briefs
Mike Hughes makes history
Prep sports accidents
AH, YES, IT’S BEEN A VERY GOOD YEARby Renee Dominguez
June 6, 1997
It’s June 6th and what this means for the graduating class is that they are six days away from graduating. Some (seniors) will be frightened and some will be delighted with the thoughts of leaving. Whether it’s delight or terror, members of the graduating class will take with them the fond memories and the inevitably unpleasant ones they have made as they embark on a new adventure. The time for reflection has now arrived and here is what some of the class of ‘97 had to say about this year.
The one event this year which struck bad chords with not only seniors but with the whole school was the elimination of off campus lunch. Letters were sent to administrators and, in the latter part of the year, the infamous walk out were both means of telling the administration that the classes (especially the senior class) felt wrongly deprived of their lunch privilege. Now that it’s the end of the year, one might think that these feelings of animosity would have faded, yet as senior Denise Guerrero expresses, these feelings are still alive: “If I had to pick one bad memory from this year it would be that I never got to have the experience of off campus lunch.”
One of the sweeter memories that grads will take with them are the many adult role models that have touched their lives. Although some teachers may feel unappreciated, that there is too little pay for their tough job, senior Andria Villa proves them wrong: “My most fond memory of this year is that I actually had teachers who were genuinely interested in their students success.” What teachers need to realize is that students gratitude may not be apparent; however, this does not mean that it is non existent.
The most common complaint is that seniors are supposed to feel like the “big men on campus.” Some seniors found this hard to feel when there are no special senior privileges to make them feel like the king of the hill. “I wish that seniors had some special privileges,” said senior Rachel Salcido. Senior Holli Fasenmyer agreed: “In past years seniors were given special privileges such as ditch days and off campus lunch, but this year I feel that we haven’t gotten anything.”
On a bittersweet note many seniors have created strong friendships that will remain one of the more memorable moments this year. However, this sweet memory is contrasted with the sad reality that some will be leaving the area and going to colleges in various far-flung places in the U.S. What this means for those who are close with these individuals (who are leaving ) is that they may only see their “best friend” once or twice a year. “It’s a little ironic that this year I created some very strong friendships; the sad things is that my friends and I are all going in different directions,” said senior Dawn Burks.
Some seniors seem to be joyful at the thought that they will be taking their last walk as a Colton High School Student in only 6 days. “My fond memory will be getting the heck out of this place,” said senior Paula Delgado.
ADDICTED TO LOVE: FUNNY LOVE STORY FILM FINDS TOUGH GOING AGAINST JURASSIC MONSTERSby Vicky Wray
June 6, 1997
You’re gonna have to face it, you’re addicted to love.” A quote from a popular song from the 80’s and as of May 23, the funniest new romantic comedy since, well, since the last funny one. Not only was this film a roller coaster ride of laughter, it also has a plot.
Matthew Broderick plays an astronomer from the midwest named Sam. His girlfriend Linda, played by Kelly Preston, is a schoolteacher. She gets a job in New York and off she flies, leaving poor Sam behind, looking at the stars. On the joyous day of her return, her father delivers, as he calls it, Linda’s “dear John” letter to Sam. She breaks his heart, so of course he rushes out of the house to find her.
A desperate man he is, he makes a place for himself in an empty building across the street, only to find out that his love is living with another man, very typical, no? Sam sets up a lens that can project everything, yes everything that goes on in an apartment with a man and a woman living in it alone, onto a wall in the abandoned building. Slowly and obsessively, Sam studies the actions and habits of his lost heina and her new beau, Anton, played by Tcheky Karyo, a french restaurant owner. So much for her running back into his arms.
Just as Sam decides the two will break up, Maggie (Meg Ryan) bursts into the abandoned spy house. She’s pretty, a photographer and Anton’s leftover girlfriend. Sam and Maggie are the perfect match, she wants Anton to miserably lose his dignity and he still thinks Linda will forever love him. Maggie opens his eyes to the truth: “other than the fact that she’s boning my boyfriend, you’re the perfect couple.” They say the truth hurts and that revenge is sweet, which is what these two lovesick ex-es are after. Together they destroy Anton, break Linda’s heart in the process, and still find time to fall in love. They have the perfect relationship, not to mention common interests.
Griffin Dunne directed this comedy-on-the-edge with a fabulous sense of what the audience needs. It’s a real feel good movie with a plot to die for and stars so yummy you could just sop them up with a biscuit. There was one thing that bothered me though. Never in the movie was the song it was named for used, “Addicted To Love” by Robert Palmer. Oh well, it’s addictive all the same.
ADIOS, AMIGOSpor Diana Sosa
6 de Juno 1997
Finalmente hemos llegado al final del año escolar 96-97. Aunque la espera para algunos de nosotros fue un poco larga, para otros como los Seniors fue el año más corto. Con todos los preparativos de la graduación, asegurandose de que tuvieran todos sus creditos, preocupandose de que el requisito más importante se haya cumplido; el pasar los exámenes de competencia y con todo esto, el tiempo se les fue volando.
Después de pasar seis años en la primaria, dos años en la secundaria y cuatro años aquí en la preparatoria, esperando con ancias locas que llegara el día de la graduación y ahora que finalmente a llegado; estos estudiantes se preparan para enfrentar una nueva vida. Una vida en donde los recuerdos de la adolesencia quedarán atras y deberán empezar su vida como adultos. Se deberán enfrentar a la sociedad que les exigira lo mejor de ellos. Pero, ¿Cómo llegaron a realizar este sueño que para algunos es demasiado difícil? Algunos de los estudiantes les dan gracias principalmente a sus padres por haberlos apoyado y por ayudarles a seguir adelante y no darse por vencidos. Otros simplemente les dan las gracias a algunos de sus maestros que los apoyaron y los motivaron durante sus años escolares. Pero de la preparatoria no solo quedan recuerdos de las clases que tomaron, de los dificilies exámenes que tuvieron y de maestros. También quedan bonitos recuerdos, como nos dice Alejandro Peraza, (12) “A mí lo que más me gustaba eran los carnavales, porque todos podiamos bailar y pasar un rato muy alegre entre amigos”. Para otros estar cerca de sus amigos son los mejores recuerdos, “Lo que más me gustó de estar aquí en Colton High fue estar junto a mis amigos”, nos dice Felix Garcia (12).
Pero dejando atras los recuerdos y empezando a vivir para el futuro, ¿Cuáles son los planes de los estudiantes después de que se graduen? Para algunos esta pregunta ya no es tan difícil de responder, ya que algunos de ellos ya tienen planes o metas que cumplir después de graduarse. “Después de graduarme me quiero transladar directamente para al colegio y estudiar Psicología”, estos son los planes de Jazmin Hong (12), que quiere empezar después de graduarse. Pero no todos tienen los mismos planes algunos como Surya Mallapragada (12) quiere trabajar y estudiar al mismo tiempo. “Después de que me gradue quiero terminar la carrera de enfermera y buscar un trabajo y después recibirme como doctora”.
Aunque todos tienen planes y metas diferentes que cumplir, de aquí de Colton High todos ellos si se llevarán algo en común, sus mejores recuerdos como adolecentes, recuerdos que podrán llevar en su corazón toda sus vidas. Lo único que podemos decirles es que les deseamos lo mejor en todo lo que hagan, que no se den por vencidos y sigan sus sueños hasta lograrlos. Luchen por lo que quieran alcanzar que al final, la vida siempre da recompensas y ustedes no pueden ser la excepción. Sigan adelante . . .
Muchas Felicidades a Nuestros Graduados . . .
FFA-SPONSORED BLOOD DRIVE NETS MULTIPLE PINTSby Emily Le May
June 6, 1997
On May 13, students seventeen and over were given the opportunity to donate blood to those in need. The annual Colton High School Blood Drive was held and sponsored by FFA.
After an intense questionnaire, students and staff members were given tests to check for iron deficiencies and then prepared for their donation.
“The blood drive was well worth it because they gave us cookies, crackers and orange juice after we were done,” said junior Rick Bonner. “When they pricked my finger for the iron test it hurt but when it came down tho the actual bloodletting, it didn’t hurt at all.”
“THEY SAID I’D NEVER GRADUATE”What disability? Colton High student beats the odds, will graduate on Thursday
June 6, 1997
by Pear Utrapiromsuk
When Katrina O’Neal was born, doctors said she would never be able to sit-up, crawl, talk, walk, let alone graduate from high school.
But the feisty senior is proving them wrong. Not only will she graduate this Thursday with her class, but she plans on attending college as well.
O’Neal has cerebral palsy, a condition which results in spastic paralysis due to brain damage.
“She’s a hard worker,” said O’Neal’s counselor, Jim Bengtson. “And a go-getter. If you tell her she can’t do something she wants to do, she’ll do it, go after it anyway. She’s probably had to overcome more than any student because of her physical challenges.”
However, despite the obstacles, O’Neal does not like to take the easy route. She currently has a GPA of 4.0 and her schedule includes classes from English IV and POD to Law Enforcement.
“Teachers don’t let me slide,” says O’Neal. “The ones that did I think were too nice.”
As the only child with a disability in her family, O’Neal finds support in her parents and the rest of the family of four brothers and two sisters.
“They helped me prove them (the doctors) wrong,” she says. “They made me have confidence in myself.”
Her mother said that despite the doctors’ predictions, she had to encourage her daughter to do everything that she could.
“She the first child I’ve ever had with a disability,” says Kim O’Neal. “I couldn’t just see her sit there. I had to make sure she couldn’t do it, but as time goes by she has achieved everything they said she’d never do. I know my daughter. I just tell her there’s nothing she can’t do. There’s no such word as can’t. Don’t even use it. Some things are kind of hard, so put more effort into it.”
Kim O’Neal’s loves the idea that her daughter is graduating. “Sometimes I thought that she wouldn’t be able to take it. Kids are cruel,” she says with a sigh. “But I always told her that no matter what anybody says, believe in yourself. Many girls her age already have two or three kids. Katrina has to learn independence and finish her education, or she’d be stuck at home. She’s come a long way and I have high hopes for her future.”
Many people talk admiringly about Katrina’s drive and stubborness. But another quality which is often mentioned is her likability, or, as Bengston puts it, “I don’t know anybody who doesn’t like her.”
Although in constant pursuit of her serious goals, there is a light side to her as well. O’Neal is sometimes even described as silly. Troy Knudsvig, her math and science teacher, also has her as a TA this year. “She’s got a fun-loving personality,” Knudsvig notes. “She likes to joke around while she works really hard in school. She’s a great asset in class and as a TA.”
In her free time O’Neal likes to play with computer games and explore different things. After high school she plans to attend Valley College for two years then transfer to Cal State San Bernardino. Her interests are law enforcement and counseling. Law intrigues her, yet she in interested in counseling because she likes the opportunity to talk to and help people.
Although O’Neal has already beaten the odds and overcome many obstacles, there are still many that lay ahead. Faced with this thought, she says she is never discouraged. Walking has been one of the hardest goals for her to achieve, and O’Neal is able to do it, after a fashion, with the help of a walker. However she is still working on it. During school she still has her wheelchair for long time and distance traveling.
She says that her favorite things about Colton High are the people—students and faculty. She wants to encourage and give others her inspiration. As she puts it, “Some students just give up. I try to tell them that they can do it.”
KICKING IT JUST WON’T DO THIS SUMMER--GETR OUT AND DO SOMETHING!!Opinion by Tariq Warsi
June 6, 1997
Well, lets see: six more days, 144 hours, until the end of school. What will you be doing during your summer vacation? Probably like many of the people at this school you’ll be in school (Ha Ha, sorry.) Other people will either be at the beach, so they can tell their friends, to seem as though they will be doing something “cool,” or they will be at home in front of the boob tube for as many hours as possible before they have to go tinkle.
Why not do something useful this summer? Not to say that summer school is a waste of time, but just think about why you’re there, and if it is helping you, more power to ya.
There are a number of options of things to do during the summer. You could get a job. (Oh no, did I say that? Perish the thought!) Well why not? What is so dreadful about having a job? You get money, you get work experience credits, and you finally get to pay back that friend that you owe so much money to. Of course if you’ve read our TWO-PAGE spread about jobs in The Sun then you know that it isn’t easy to get a job, but I believe in you guys. You don’t even need to get a fast-food job--you could get a job at Sears or Wal-Mart. Not everything has to revolve around Big Macs and Whoppers.
Now I know the idea of summer is supposed to be about TV, couches, and potato chips, but get real--why not do something productive in the three months that you have? You could read a book. Oh wait, there I go again--who would want to read an interesting novel that may very well change the outlook of your life? Why waste your time reading when you could be watching ER? Get a life, people.
Here is something that I know most of you guys will be doing anyway, but you could go to the beach. (duh!) If you don’t want to go to the beach then you could volunteer at a recreation center or local elementary school (and read the story on volunteering on page 7: hint, hint).
Hey, here’s an idea: why don’t you guys go and take a vacation with your family, or by yourself, just get away and see the world as though you have never seen it before. Believe me, the last thing I want to do is to stay home for the summer; I’m getting as far away from this state as I can possibly be.
Anyway, if all else fails then you go ahead and vege-out, but take it from me--if you’re going to watch TV, at least watch National Geographic. It’s sort of eduacational, you know?
EMILY LE MAY ELECTED ASB PRESIDENT FOR 97-98 YEARby Elaina Greenberg
June 6, 1997
Junior Emily Le May has been elected ASB President for the 1997-98 school year.
Bringing a wealth of experience to the job, (Le May served on ASB as junior class president this year), she understands that she wil not be able to change the school overnight, as most students think. “I don’t have more privledges than anyone else, just more responsiblities,” she says.
These responsibilites include running the weekly meetings in ASB, representing the school at Board metings, and trying to come up with new activites for the school. “There is also an image that I have to keep up,” she adds. “It’s almost like, once you’re elected to the ASB, the administration expects you to be a perfect role-models. But I can understand that, because of my office , if I look bad, the school looks bad.”
Le May’s plans for next year include wanting to work harder with the entire student body to make the Pep Assemblies even better. “I think that we should allow all students a chance to be on the committes for the assemblies. It might not work, but at least the students will feel like they had more of a chance to get involved.” Le May also understands that the only way that students will enjoy school is if they get involved with activities. “People think that it’s dorky to get involved in school, but if that’s the case then there are a lot of dorky people on this campus, including me.”
Also, Le May wants the school to feel like they are represented, “Even as junior class president, I tried to listen to what everyone wanted, as far as Prom went; next year I hope that the students will feel like if they have an activity that they want to be done, they can come to me and I’ll try to make it happen.”
June 6, 1997
Golf, reported by Brian Espinoza
Junior Daniel Dunn was the lone representative for Colton High School at the Citrus Belt League finals for Golf. Dunn finished a very respectable eighth out of about 70 of the top golfers. He shot just over par at both Rancho Verde Golf Course and Waterman Golf Club which is where Dunn played all of his home matches.
Track, reported by Andy Hunt
The highlight of the end of the track season was provided by sophmore Maryanna Vasquez, who advanced to the CIF Masters by running a qualifying time of 5:11.1 in the 1600 meters at the Division One CIF prelims. Her time smashed the previous school record by seven seconds. Only the top 9 runners from all the C.I.F. Divisions advance to the Masters. After advancing to the Division I preliminaries, she ran in the C.I.F. preliminaries in the heat of the day at 1:00p.m. Saturday, May 24, at Cerritos Junior College in Norwalk. She also set a school record in the 3000 meters with a time of 10:48.76. At the Masters, held last Friday, Vasquez finished in eighth place out of the nine qualifying runners.
Baseball, reported by Justin Derrick
The baseball team continued their disappointing season, finishing in last place in the CBL. The team, who finished with a overall record of 5-19 and a league record of 3-12, is looking forward to next year when many players will return.. Current juniors who will return next season include Teddy Sutton and Mark Ayala who are expected to bring great pitiching and batting to next year’s lineup, elements which the team lacked this year. Next year’s squad is predicted to make a comeback with competitive play and a playoff run in the team’s final season in the C.B.L. . A impressive pitiching staff and consistant hitters are what the YellowJackets hope to win with next season
Softball, reported by Elaina Greenberg
The varsity softball team struggled all year, ending the season without a league win. Their record obviously leaves room for much improvement for next year. “We should have done better, we didn’t win one league game. But, at least we ended the season with a close game,” Junior Lynda Sanchez said, referring to the season ending loss to Ike, who won a tight match with a grand slam at the end. There is hope for next year, however, as the Junior Varsity team took second in league.
Tennis, reported by Matt Penna
Colton’s tennis season ended with with several team members advancing into the postseason only to be eliminated there. Among those eliminated in the first round of league finals were seniors Mark Avant (singles), Andy Hunt and Ryan Urban (doubles teammates) and the sophomore doubles team of Seth Anapolsky and Anthony Coronado. Falling in the second round were senior David Evans (singles) and the sophomore doubles team of Kris Collins and Tom Allen. Junior Mike Hughes, the teams premier singles player, made it to the final round and took third overall in league. (see story next page.) Colton faced Yucipa in the wild card match but lost 17-1.
Badminton, reported by Karen Brown
After a thrilling undefeated season, the badminton team headed into the CIF playoff with high hopes, only to lose in the second round to Long Beach Milliken High by the score of 12-7. The team was off to a great start in the playoffs with the defeat of Westminster High school. The final score was 15-4.Seniors Kim Akins and Holli Fasenmyer played in doubles, along with juniors Kaycee Ram and Michelle Garcia. Senior Ken Kohdong, junior Jose Garcia, and sophomores Armando Ponce and Jon Hunt played in the boys doubles. Sophomre Mark Krell and junior Jerimayah Nix played in singles, while junior Adeline Ramirez and freshman Cathy Villanueva played in girls singles.
Swimming, by Liz Nicks
Swimming finals were at Redlands University this year against Redlands, Eisenhower, and Fontana. Perennial powerhouse Redlands took first in almost every event besides the 4 x 100 Freestyle Relay, where the Colton boys team were CBL champions. The team included John Silva, Matt Gomez, Ohm Kongtang and Felipe Rodriguez. Kongtang also took first in the 100 backstroke. Silva took second in the 100 free and 50 free while Gomez took third in the 100 free. For the girls team, freshman Beth Mleczko took third in the 100 backstroke. Coach Aileen Potterton announced to everyone her retirement from the team. After eight years she is finally calling it quits due to problems with her feet. Coach James Vickers will be returning next season to lead the team.
NEW FOO FIGHTERS CD RELEASE A GEM; GROHL FINALLY OUT FROM UNDER KURT COBAIN’S SHADOWReview by Matt Penna
June 6, 1997
The Color and the Shape is the long awaited return of those footose freaks, the Foo Fighters.
The just released CD is the band’s second follow-up album to their self entitled debut Foo Fighters. The band’s lineup consists of former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl (vocals, guitar), Pat Smear (guitar), Nate Mendel (bass), and Taylor Hawkins (who replaced drummer Will Goldsmith after this album was finished.) They made their debut in 1995 and hit strong with “I’ll Stick Around” and “Big me” and many people thought that it would not last, but with this release it seems they have something to prove to everyone.
The CD kicks off with “Doll,” a real short ballad about a dare Grohl sings he shouldn’t have taken, followed by the fast paced sound of “Monkey Wrench” the fast song on the album. The song “My Hero,” a song about finding out your idol is merely human, makes you wonder whom Grohl talking about. (Hmmm . . . could it be Kurt Cobain?)
A lot of songs have awesome guitar playing like “Hey Johnny Park!” and “Wind Up.” Most of the other songs are ballads with a fast/slow theme as on “Up in Arms” and “Enough Space.”
This album is a very good buy no matter if you liked the first album or not. It seems that Foo Fighters, and by extension Grohl, are finally coming out from under the weighty shadow of just being “that band fronted by that Nirvana drummer.”
GRADUATION SPEAKERS NAMEDby Kristal Greenlea
June 6, 1997
After a fierce competition, seniors Daniel Flores and Melissa Lowe have been chosen to be the speakers at this year’s graduation. The two were winners in a contest to select the best speeches submitted by hopefuls. In past years, the speeches were made by the school Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Those that applied typed their speeches and turned them in from April 21-25. On May 12 a selection committee narrowed the selections down to six speeches. On May 22 the six finalists orally presented each of their speeches to the committee. Besides Flores and Weber, the finalists included Susan Weber, Lorraine Manlolo, Jeff Patrick, and AndriaVilla.
“It’s a great honor,” said Flores. “I plan on giving a speech that’ll really speak to my fellow grads as we head out into the world.”
HE SAID--ASB CARD SHOULDN’T BE A REQUIREMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIESOpinion by Brian Espinoza
June 6, 1997
The Colton School District has come up with a new slogan for next year. Pay To Play! This means at the beginning of next year every student wishing to participate in an extra curricular activity must purchase an ASB card. Every student that belongs to club, sports team, band, year book or any other activity will not be able to participate unless he or she pays for it.
Pay To Play is not actually the slogan for the school district but it might as well be. I have read into this about whether or not this is actually legal to have students pay. I found out that the California Supreme Court, in the case Hartzell vs. Connell (1984) that under the “free school” guarantee of the California Constitution, a school district cannot charge a fee for student participation in dramatic productions, musical performances, athletic competitions, or any other educational activity, curricular or extra-curricular, offered to studens. Colton High is a public school and therefore every kid is should be entitled to participate in some type of club with out having to pay for it.
So if this rule goes into affect at the beginning of next year, which is planned by both the School Board and superintendent Herbert R. Fischer, any student who wants to participate in an extra curricular activity will be required to purchase a ASB card from the student government. Superintendent Fischer can do this with out board approval and indirectly this could up affecting more students than they think.
What happens when your star player can’t play in the big game because he didn’t have an ASB card? Or if your top speaker can’t participate in a debate? For some kids not being able to play or participate in a high school activity could be because they had trouble affording the cost of everything including a ASB card.
I’m pretty sure that this new brilliant idea violates a few of the the educational codes like our right to a free education; learning on the football field or in the debate room is still part of our future education. So the school district has outdone themselves this time. They probably found the loop hole somewhere and are going to use it to have students pay more money to the school.
HOME SCHOOLING A VIABLE ALTERNATIVEby Matt Gomez
June 6, 1997
Home schooling is rapidly becoming a good choice for many students who for one reason or another aren’t able to make it daily to school. Home schooling can be a very valuable option for many peoplewhether they’re failing classes or not.
There are two types of home study programs. There is the school-adopted program that provides a teacher for the student and books for their curriculum. Usually this lasts up to about two weeks. This program was designed for a student who is ill or injured or cannot attend regular classes for some other reason beyond his or her control. Usually, the student’s counselor will ask all of the student’s teachers to provide several weeks of assignments so that the student will be caught up when returning to regular class attendance.
Then there is a second program, one that the school does not endorse. This program is called “home choice.” Some parents wish to deep their children out of school and teach them at home. This is taught by an approved adult, but according to counselor Susan Morse-Poynter, “the student gets no credit, no grades and no curricular support. It is totally un-documented.”
Although home school to some is a valuable alternative, it does have its drawbacks.
“Many classes are hard to find teachers for,” Morse-Poynter pointed out. “It’s rare that you find a teacher that could teach all the classes that you had in school. Although this is a drawback, home schooling is a good way to keep up with your studies.”
HOW TO SUCCEED AT COLTON HIGH (Opinion Page)by Pear Utrapiromsuk
Part One--We’re doing this because we love you . . .
As you enter the hallowed campus of Colton High School for the first time, gazing at the brown and cream buildings, (guess which paint colors were on sale?) looking in awe at the big bridge with Yellowjackets painted on it, you were probably thinking one of two things: 1) How am I going to survive here for four years? or 2) What the heck is a Yellowjacket?
As a service to the students who shall follow us, we, the senior staff at the Pepper Bough, are providing this guide, to hopefully answer some of these deep, probing questions. We want to help make the years for those of you who have to stay on a little bit easier. Prepare to be enlightened, or at the very least amused, by these helpful tips and insiders views of Colton High. We feel we are in a good position to give this commentary and overview, owing to our four years at this institution of higher learning. What has been successful for us might work for you, too. Step to the right, please, no pushing. Ready? Then let’s begin.A Handy guide to the administration and offices
Counselor’s Office: Although your first dealing with the administration as a puny, snot-nosed freshman may have left you with a bad taste in your mouth, the good news is that it does get better. Once they know you in the counselor’s office you won’t feel so out of place and scared every time you go in there. Near the end of your four years, if you gain recognition and respect, you’ll get the red-carpet treatment and first class services. However, memorize these names now: Cathy, Stephanie, and Frances. These three are, in order of desk location from left to right as you walk in the door, the counselor’s secretaries. These three will become very important to you later. You will probably be dealing with them before and more that your actual counselor. Get in good with them now. Buy them flowers, bring them candy, whatever. This is essential. You may still experience some frustrations, but this is inevitable in dealing with your average school’s bureaucracy. It’s not their fault. They hate it as much as you do. Put on a smile and be calm. Running in the office crying and screaming won’t get you anywhere. (Trust us.) If the situation is really dreadful, call on the big guns (not God, even He may not be able to get your schedule changed.) No, we’re talking about the real authority as far as school is concerned--your parents. Get them on your side and you’ll find all the offices suddenly working in sync like a well-oiled machine. You may not like the system, but you’ll either have to work with it or change it. Our best wishes, either way.
Assistant Principal’s Office: Avoid being called in here if possible. The discipline process is not pretty. It is a shame, though, that most people only come in here for that reason. There are some nice people in here. Some of them even work for the school.
Principal’s Office: Unless you become a BMOC (Big Man On Campus) or have something really important to say, or you’re in Major Trouble, (LIKE CALLING A PARENT MR. IGNORANT IN AN EDITORIAL) don’t expect to ever see the inside of this place.
Nurse’s Office: Come here for a free maxi pad, or a bathroom with toilet paper, that is when they are in operation. Whatever happened to a traditional nurse’s office? Perhaps they don’t think students get sick on certain days.
Attendance Office: Clear your absences! If there is one thing the school is good at keeping track of, and annoying you about, it’s your attendance ( or lack thereof.) The good news is that if you turn 18 while still in school you can sign yourself out of school. But first you need an initial note from your parent or guardian. (Wow! What a concept! Almost like a real adult!)
Dining: Or, What you see is what you get
Even after the harsher requirement of an additional year of English, plus journalism training, all we can say about the food on campus is that it sucks. Early in your high school career, invest in a cooler, go to Tupperware parties, stock up during sales of Ziplock bags. These are essential if you want to bring lunch, which is highly recommended. For those who insist on buying because they’re “too cool” to bring lunch, don’t say we didn’t warn you. The prices may be the only redeeming quality of the food here: you can get a burrito, chips, and soda for $1.50. Pizza is also popular if you’re a big fan of grease. And the old cliché that the early bird catches the worm (literally some of the food tastes like worms) is the rule because food runs out fast. No strolling to lunch if you want any type of decent food. We still recommend you bring lunch; after four years your taste buds will thank you.
Classes: Why not go?
Go once in a while--later on, you’ll be shelling out big bucks for the very same privilege (or cashing in small bucks because you didn’t.) Hey, you might even learn something.
Life’s Biggest Disappointments
--After-school parties (detention)
--Pool on top of the MacInstosh GymnasiumSecurity: Or, Pardon me, but is that a sports shirt you’re wearing?
Despite the rumors that Colton High is a gang-infested place where guns and drugs are more commonplace than papers and pencils, the likelihood of actual assault here is quite minimal. Here are some tips on how to stay safe on campus: don’t, unless the integrity of “yo mama” is involved, call people any of the various four letter words. Also, keep your gun out of other people’s faces, don’t throw up gang signs to rival gang members, and it is never a good idea to use racial slurs (exclusions include if you are a member of the race or a very, very good friend of one.) And unlike other similarly secure institutions (for example, a maximum security federal prison), students are often heard remarking that it is easier to get out of this place than to get back in. However, a helpful tip for getting on campus if you get to school late is to park in that gated, reserved parking lot (they are starting to nab people for this, so be careful). From there you can exit though the open gate and enter through the receptionist’s office. Viola!
Accomodations: Or, Sweet Dreams are made of these
While Colton High may not offer formal sleeping accommodations, there are some places on campus very conducive to sweet dreams--classes. Whether you have a teacher whose lectures could put an amphetamine freak to sleep or because the busy schedules of most students just wears them down, can you really blame us for resting a bit while sitting in a hard chair for almost an hour? While some have dozed off (like our senior reporter Kristal Greenlea) either because they’re brave, really, really tired, or just don’t care anymore, some do not even pretend to hide it. These types simply put their heads on their desks, spread out their arms and let their mouths become the source of a river of va-vas that rivals the Nile. This kind of sleeping is a little more dangerous, for, (as Kristal knows) you’re much more likely to get caught by the teacher. Another technique for catching a quick 40 winks which is much more successful, but requires more skill and agility, is what we like to call “Sleeping in the Note Taking Position.” (No, they don’t teach this in AVID.) The discreet slumberer in this case has one hand covering the eyes while the other arm is poised with a pencil in hand as if taking notes. The trick here is to keep your head up and your pencil in position. It’s a lot more work, but if accomplished you’re guaranteed to get more sleeping hours in as well as to not tick your teacher off. Like everything else, practice makes perfect. You might not want to get too good at this, however, or you may find that you’ll be rewarded with an extra year to really become an expert.
A Final Word: From all of us to all of you . . .
We’ve been a part of this high school for four years, as casual observers, active participators, and reporters for the school paper. This is our last message to the school and people we’ve spent so much time with.
To the faculty: A school is only as good as and is reflective of its staff. And no matter what crap from the media and the local rumor mills may say, Colton High has some great staff. Never forget that you guys and gals are in the unique position of influencing and changing the lives of hundreds of young people. We’re not stupid, we can sense who wants to be here and who doesn’t. For teachers who obviously hate it here, please quit, because you’re doing irreversible harm. Never underestimate the impact of a discouraging word, a harsh and undeserved reprimand. Sadly many students have believed the words or actions which say, “You’ll never amount to anything.” Conversely, never overestimate the power of a caring glance or kind word. We cannot stress how important encouragement and sincerity are to youths who may not have any other source of motivation. Please don’t hold back on us. Despite the sue-happy trend in this society, we guarantee that no one will file a sexual harassment lawsuit against you for touching our lives. We’re the lucky ones--somewhere along the line some adult, teacher, or administrator has told us “anything is possible.” To these kind folks, we cannot thank you enough.
To our remaining students: Let’s face it , this isn’t Beverly Hills High. Yet our greatest strengths lie in the qualities which make us different from those grueling, superficial, cheesy places. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel inferior because while society’s negative pressures may lead to pregnancies, drugs, and crime; it is ultimately up to each and every one of you to make the decision whether to have sex, inhale, or pull the trigger. Be proud of where you come from. It is not always smooth sailing here. The temptations may be stronger and the opportunities more limited, but if you survive the uphill struggle, as we have so far, and emerge on the other end, you will have, as any physics student will tell you, much more potential energy to release to the world. We wish you all good luck and want to end with something we have not heard often enough or enthusiastically enough--Go Yellowjackets!! Oh, and in case you were wondering, a yellowjacket is a wasp or hornet having bright yellow markings. Although a small and somewhat unknown creature, it you don’t watch out, its sting can be mighty painful.
SPIELBERG’S LOST WORLD: MORE DINOS, MORE BLOOD, MORE MONEYReview by Karen Brown
June 6, 1997
“Life found a way.” The dinosaurs are back and they’re eating and terrifying their way back onto the silver screen. Steven Spielberg’s continuation of Jurassic Park sprang into the theaters on May 23 and it was just a complete blowout. Jurrasic Park: The Lost World is action packed and the velociraptor chases practically threw me out of my seat. Jeff Goldblum and Julianne Moore play scientists feeding their curiosity of the dinosaur world.
As Goldblum is drawn to the land of terror due to the news of his girlfriend, Sarah, (Moore), being asked to research the dinosaurs there, the plot starts to take its shape. At first, everyone is introduced to a beautiful world and all that can be said is “Ooh . . . ahh!” As the movie progresses, the “Oohs,” and “Ahhs,” are rapidly replaced by shrieks of “Help me, oh my God, and its going to get us!” What made the movie so cool was the fact that these T-
Rexes and velociraptors, both big and small, were very intelligent. Imagine the fear of an angry T-Rex coming for its baby. It doesn’t care that you were just trying to help the baby, they just want it back: and they’re angry.
Believe me, when they’re angry, it shows. The velociraptors in the movie were the most dangerous and the most terrifying. If you’re into blood and guts, literally, then you’ll love the scenes of two velociraptors tearing you in half from both sides of your body. The intelligence goes a little bit further when Sarah and Ian’s daughter are running from velociraptors and they get trapped in a shed, but as they try to dig their way out the back, the velociraptors are digging their way in the front. So now you must be thinking “OK, they can still get out and just run for their life,” but as they get out the back, they’re right there waiting for them. Too smart!
So was that really scary, or not scary enough? How about T-Rexes trying to push you over a cliff? Ian and Sarah are trapped in a trailer and here comes the T-Rexes pushing the trailer over the cliff and the only reason they’re still alive is because they’re holding on to a rope tied on to a tree at the top. Each terrifying attempt to reach the top is crushed by another attempt from the T-Rex to push them over the edge.
There were a lot of cool effects in this movie. For example, when the dinosaur finally pushed the trailer over the cliff, you see the speed of the trailer passing Ian and Sarah as they hung on to the rope for dear life.
I think a lot of moviegoers will miss the true purpose of this movie. Most just thought it was a way to get a good scream and to leave with your hair white as snow, but that wasn’t it at all.
The movie’s purpose was to leave the dinosaurs alone in their own habitat and not to bother them; Ian’s purpose all along, but we all know that with every good guy trying to do the right thing, there’s always a blazing idiot making the whole situation worse that what it already is. Throughout the whole movie, there were dinosaurs hunters, trapping the dinosaurs to take back to civilization for viewing attractions. How dumb! Why would anyone be so crazy as to bring fierce animals like that to the land where humans live? Well, that’s what was done.
These hunters brought a T-Rex and its baby to the city so that the public could see it, and wouldn’t you know: just like in the classic 1933 film King Kong, they ran into a little problem, or a big problem I should say. This ferocious animal broke out of its restraints and killed everyone on the ship; leaving its trademark with a hand here and a head there. Ian and Sarah returned to find this out and were outraged. All they could was witness all the bloodshed and fear coming from people in the city.
There was a bit of humor when a little boy would wake up his parents to tell them there is a dinosaur in the back yard. For all you animal lovers, you may not like the scenes when the dinosaur eats a poor, defenseless little dog. If only the dog wasn’t chained up, it would have been able to get away. Also the cruelty of the baby dinosaurs was an unpleasant factor. Ok, I know what you’re thinking. Why would I care what happens to a dinosaur? Call me crazy but when I’m dealing with anything small and defenseless, I get soft. But when it gets big enough to destroy and kill, then that’s a different story.
The only way to stop the T-Rex from killing everybody was to trap it by taking its baby and to make it chase them back to the ship. That’s what they did and it worked. Sarah shot tranquilizers into the T-Rex to put it to sleep until it got back to its land and the baby Rex was put with the mother. All was safe and everything was calm.
The talented Spielberg once again has come up with another thrilling adventure while at the same time, teaching us importance of not messing with nature.
I heartly recommend this picture if you can get in to see it.
The Lost World is a hit!
JUNIOR MIKE HUGHES MAKES COLTON TENNIS HISTORYby Matt Penna
June 6, 1997
Junior Mike Hughes made school athletic history when he took third place over all in the league finals of singles tennis, making him the first student in the history of Colton High School to ever place in league for boy’s tennis.
“The accomplishment I have made this year makes me want to work harder and look forward to next season,” said Hughes. “It has meant a lot to me to get this far this year.”
Hughes finished this season with a 19-9 record and was the major wrecking force in the team’s quest for success the last two years. He has long been considered by the team and the coach as the team’s number one player.
So what’s next for Hughes? Where does the number one tennis player go? More history-making appearances in league finals, and then a trip to Wimbledon? And how about all those endorsement deals?
Hughes is adamant about his goals for next year, and will tell anyone who asks him what they are.
“Next season I plan to take league,” he says with a grin, “and go to CIF.”
RASH OF PREP SPORTS ACCIDENTS HAS STUDENTS WONDERING: CAN IT HAPPEN HERE?by Justin Derrick
June 6, 1997
The recent rash of high school sporting accidents in Los Angeles county high schools has created a buzz of media hype over the deaths of three students while performing in school athletics.
Three different students, three different accidents, and all three ended up fatalities. One death occured when a track athlete, in the field picking up his discus, was hit with a discus thrown by another student. A second student was killed when he was pole valuting and landed the wrong way, killing himself. Not long after this second horrible accident, a third high school athlete, this time a baseball player, died in a collision in the outfield, where he was struck by another players helmet.
All of these accidents all seem to be just that, accidents--perhaps freak accidents. Being that all of these deaths happened in a short period of time in the same general area it makes a person a little curious.
Accidents such as these don’t occur very often at all in the world of High School athletics. In fact, such a thing has not happened in San Bernardino County since 1959. That was when a Pacific High School teacher (Louis Finn) was hit in the head with a shot put. Such danger caused Pacific High School’s elimination of the pole vault event two years ago.
Since these all were just accidents, the question arises--could have been prevented? These schools could have been lacking an experienced athletic trainer or the students could have been practicing unsafe training methods. How can prep athletes at Colton be certain that they won’t be the next headline about a fatal athletic accident?
At Colton High all of the coaches are trained in C.P.R and try to keep playing fields safe at all times. Colton High athletic trainer Al Schwartz is the embodiment of what Colton has that some other schools lack--an experienced trainer who is always on campus. Schwartz has been honored many times for his skill as a trainer, most recently being named the National Athletic Trainer of the Year.
“How many times has a football player gotten hurt here?” asks Schwartz rhetorically. “I dont think they should cut out the football program.” (alluding to the removal of pole vaulting in the San Andreas League.)
Baseball coach Chad Bishop recognizes the unusual nature of the timing of the three accidents. “These are all just freak accidents that happened in a row.” says Bishop of the deaths. He says he tries to know everything that is happening on the baseball field at all times.
In wake of the accidents, schools all over the southland are reportedly taking further precautions toward safety on the playing fields.
PUNTO DE VISTA
¿DE QUE NOS SIRVE LOS EXAMENES DE COMPE-
TENCIA?
by Graciela Gómez
6 de Juno 1997
Los exámenes de competencia son necesarios para poderse graduar. Estos exámenes consisten de lectura, comprensión, ortografía, gramática y matemáticas ¿Serían estos exámenes la mejor manera de medir el conocimiento de la educación básica?
Estos exámenes se toman cada año, empezando en el grado nueve hasta que se puedan pasar. Cada año son más difícil. Pero hay que preguntarse, “¿Por qué es que la mayoría de estudiantes no pueden pasar estos exámenes hasta que van en el grado 12?”
La verdad es que quizas la educación que se otorga no corresponde con los que se presenta en estos exámenes o ¿podríamos pensar que los estudiantes no están realmente preparados para el nivel en la cual se encuentran?
Vamos analizar la situación, si uno pasa sus clases de inglés y matemáticas con calificaciones de A, B y C los maestros nos hacen pensar que hemos aprendido algo. Uno hasta puede pasar con D , pero esto ya sería casi reprobando la clase.
Pero que pasa cuando al pasar estos cursos, uno no puede pasar los exámenes de competencia, uno piensa que existe una injusticia.
La solución quedaría en que la administración revisara esta situación y viera que la mejor forma de medir el conocimiento de los estudiantes queda en que los estudiantes presenten exámenes hechos por los maestros. De esta manera, los maestros saben lo que los estudiantes deberían aprender para cuando terminen cada nivel de año.
Se podría detener a los estudiantes hasta que puedan pasar de año pero esto necesita suceder desde que empiezan en el grado 9 no esperar hasta que van en el grado 12 y notificarles que no pueden graduarse.
La administración deberá fijarse cuantos estudiantes no pasan los exámenes de competencia y no cuantos se van a graduarse. Este año escolar 1996-1997, para prinicipios del segundo semestre, habían aproximadamente 100 estudiantes en el grado 12 que no habían pasado los exámenes de competencia.
Estos estudiantes tuvieron que tomar una clase especial para que los pasaran. ¿Qué se gana con darles una clase especial para que pasen estos exámenes finalmente? Nada de beneficio a uno, pero uno se puede graduar y recibir su diploma que es lo único que los estudiantes esperan.
No venimos a la escuela para que al final de cuentas, tomemos una clase especial. Venimos a que desde un principio nos otorguen la educación que merecemos para que al salir de la preparatoria y recibamos el diploma podremos decir, “Realmente merecí este honor”.
SCHOOL TO WORK PROGRAM SHOWS THE WAYby Ana Gonzalez
June 6, 1997
Some come to school to hang with friends, others come to learn. But Marilyn Johnson’s seventh period advanced keyboarding/computer literacy class comes to school to work.
As part of the computer literacy coarse, a school-to-work simulation activity was started on May 16 to provide students an experience of working in the real world. It lasted a week and a half.
“Since we can’t put them [the students] in the real world, this simulation gives students an opportunity to experience what they typically would be doing in a business environment,” said Johnson. “The work demonstrates documents that they would produce in a real job market.”
Once the students finished learning the basic information of using a computer, they were let loose to work on the project. The objectives of this simulation, according to a handout given to the students, is for the students to apply knowledge of document formatting learned in the class, demonstrate the ability to prepare documents from script and rough-draft copy, apply many of the word processing features learned, and work with little supervision.
One major advantage of the school-to-work simulation is that the jobs performed “allow the integration and application of many skills and concepts in a relatively short period of time,” as the handout states.
The classroom procedure includes logging-onto the computer and working on the assigned job, using resources such as the textbook or examples of documents similar to those in the required format. As part of the procedure, the students may have limited help and must plan and organize their own work.
SHADOW DAY GIVES STUDENTS A TASTE OF THE REAL THINGby Jenny Harris
June 6, 1997
Have you ever wanted to be a doctor, but weren’t sure if you could handle it? Or maybe you thought about being a teacher, but aren’t sure if you could keep the kids under control? Shadow Day would have been perfect for you. In fact, the annual program in which seniors “shadow” businesses was so realistic that Colton senior Monica Almanza got more than she bargained for--she was involved in a real life bank robbery as she shadowed Colton Police Department officers.
The program, organized by Cheryl Donahue of the School District office, along with Assistant Principal Pam Pike, took 69 Colton and Bloomington High School students and placed them in businesses all over the county in careers these students would like to consider. This was the 6th annual Shadow Day, and Colton High has participated in all six of them.
The program is jointly sponsered by the district and The Rotary Club of Colton. Businesses ranging from the medical field to politics were happy to let students join them for a day.
“It gives the students a chance to see what it’s like in that particular field and it also gives both the student and the business contacts in that field,” said Donahue. That way the business knows that there are students out there to join them later on.
Almanza was shadowing police officers when they got the call that there was a robbery in progress, so they rushed over. Another senior involved in the program was inside the bank shadowing a bank teller as the robbery was foiled by the officers, giving both students a real taste of the excitement of real careers.
SHE SAID--ASB CARDS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACITIVITESOpinion by Liz Nicks
June 6, 1997
So what’s the big deal? Paying to participate in athletics or clubs should not a big problem, most schools do it already. With all the teams and clubs complaining about not having enough money, the administration thought of a plan to solve this problem. Now people are complaining about the solution--why don’t they just be thankful that the administration has even taken the time to think up a solution?
Most teams are issued their uniforms with the exception of maybe the swim team who has to buy their own swim suits. Spending a few dollars on an ASB card is just like having to buy a uniform with a few advantages and only a quarter of the price. The ASB card pays for itself anyway, with free admission to football games or basketball games and discounts on a yearbook or prom tickets. If you play on a varsity team, in order to get a letter, you must have purchased an ASB card or else the letter will not be issued to you, making this necessity less of a change for many.
Purchasing an ASB card to participate in a club is even less of a problem. Some clubs charge dues anyway, this just adds a few more dollars to the cost of joining this club. Those who join the clubs to get out of classes or just want to add a little more to college applications will now have to pay for this little perk. This maybe would make them think that since they are paying they could actually participate for a change and earn the credit they want.
For those who have money problems or their budget is too tight to squeeze out a few more dollars then there could be a waiver of some type. I can understand that some kids parents don’t make enough to pay this new fee and if a kid really wants to pay then they could ask for sponsors. Raising fifteen dollars will be just like asking three of your relatives or neighbors to donate five dollars.
You could even lie and say that if you don’t play this year then the team will lose all their games and say it was all your fault, because you couldn’t play.
SOMETIMES, THEY COME BACKby Kimberly Sanders
June 6, 1997
Colton High is unique among high schools for having so many of its former students employed at the same institution where they once toiled as students. For many of them, it seems the old cliché is true . . . .
So you think that when you graduate from this school you are gone for good? For most of the students attending this high school that is true, but for a number of people it isn’t. According to some of the staff members, such as English teachers (and Colton grads) Kristen Tornero and Denise Galvez, Colton is in their blood.
After graduating in 1992, Galvez went to Cal State San Bernardino to get her bachelor’s degree in English. When the time came for her to pick a school to teach at she came back to her alma mater.
“I knew the community and students,” said Galvez, “and because I come from here I had a lot of support.”
It would seem that the change from student to teacher would have been a hard adjustment. Galvez didn’t think so; teaching is something she wanted to do and had actually been doing for a while.
“It feels like I’ve been teaching even though I haven’t,” said Galvez, “I have tutored so it’s not really different.”
You would think a few things would have changed since Galvez was in high school, but according to her, nothing really has. During the spring semester of her senior year the campus was closed as a result of the infamous shooting incident on campus, but unlike current seniors she got to go off for lunch.
Tornero graduated in 1986 and, like Galvez, she wanted to return to the school in which she had attended.
“When I decided to be a teacher I knew I would want to return to teach at Colton,”said Tornero. “The teachers that I had respected were people I looked forward to working with. The students are also great.”
In the past ten years since Tornero was a senior quite a few things have changed. There was the addition of the fences, renovations done to the rooms. “Some have air now,” she said. There are also more rooms for the always growing student population.
“When I was here there was only one lunch period,” said Tornero.
Being a teacher can sometimes be the most rewarding job. If one can reach a student and make their life a little better then a teacher can go away feeling good that they accomplished what they had set out to do.
“I enjoy teaching,” said Tornero. “If I can reach any student then I feel I have accomplished something. It is an experience in which I learn along with my students and that is fun. Being a part of the learning process in general is exciting.”A partial listing of Colton alumni who have come back to work at their deal ole alma mater . . .
Natalie Gomez ‘52 Attendance Clerk
Tom Leon ‘62 Aud. Tech./custodian 1 yr. (campus supervisor 24 yrs.)
Hope Villavilla ‘63 Nutrition worker
Lupe Amador ‘64 Nutrition worker
Pamela Paulsen ‘65 English Teacher
Dave Salas ‘66 Art Teacher
Dave Gomez ‘67 Assistant Principal
Frances Gonzales ‘67 Counselors Secretary
Olga “Bebe” Rainey ‘68 Bilingual Aide
Fran Ochoa-Smith ‘68 Bilingual Counselor
Anita Delgado ‘70 Attendance Clerk
Patricia Hughes ‘72 Art Teacher
Arabella Ayala ‘75 Nutrition Worker
Stella Quintana ‘77 Nutrition Worker
Argelia Vasquez ‘78 Nutrition Worker
Chad Bishop ‘78 P.E. teacher/Varsity Baseball Coach
Alicia Valenzuela ‘79 Attendance Clerk
Terri Villa ‘79 Nutrition Worker
Roxanne Berch ‘80 Math Teacher
Stephanie Betancur ‘83 Counselors Secretary
Jerry Almendarez ‘84 Business Education Teacher/A.V.I.D. coordinator
Tobin Brinker ‘86 History Teacher
Leticia Tinoco ‘88 Science Teacher
John Kitchen ‘90 Long Term Substitute (Hopefully Hired!)
Robert Montaño ‘91 Math Teacher
Lisa Jauregui ‘91 Health Assistant
Evelyn Lopez ‘92 Nutrition Worker
Brandi Gutierrez ‘92 Nutrition Worker
Jackie Luna ‘92 Nutrition Worker
SPAMORAMA COLUMNby Daniel Flores
June 6, 1997
As the year comes to a close, some of us will walk these halls for the last time. Others will return as elder classmen wise in the ways of Colton High. Then there are those who just never seem to leave. I don’t know how long some students have been here, but the other day I was sitting in class next to a guy that brought his wife and kids. I guess he’s on that special ten year plan. He’s giving new meaning to the term “super senior.” Unfortunately, for the rest of us it would appear that this is the last issue of the Pepper Bough. One last Spamorama for the road. So hold on to your hats, here we go:
After four years at Colton High I have finally learned three really important life lessons: beware of the yellow line, kiss up to every teacher, and above all don’t touch an administrators walkie talkie (they hate that.) Now I hope that these little hints will serve as a guide, or at least it will give you something to laugh at while you sit at lunch trying to figure out what the heck a taco snack is made of. Speaking of lunches, I wish that they would hose off those tables once in a while. I’ve been late to class three times because I was stuck to the table. Oh well, I guess I won’t have to worry about lunches anymore. Instead I’ll be sitting naked in some empty dorm room eating cold spaghettios out of a can with a spork.
However, I must admit that college isn’t going to be all bad. It’s a place where you will learn many new and exciting things. (For instance, how to make a beer funnel out of a water jug and some old hose.) You might learn how to party for a week straight without any sleep. Oh yeah, you also might learn some stuff that will help you get a job. Either way college is going to be an experience that we will all remember, or not, depending upon how much beer you drink over the four year period. Of course, if you drink a lot, it may be more than a four year period.
Now I would like to take a moment to reflect on the past school year: all of the people I have shared my life with, all of the lessons I have learned, and everything that has contributed to my growth as a human being. Huh? For some reason I’m drawing a blank. Oh well, guess I didn’t learn anything this year. But it still was a great year. I laughed, I cried; it was like watching “Steel Magnolias.”
So as I prepare to leave Colton High I just ask all of the underclassmen to do one thing for me. Tell everyone that Daniel Flores was the best dang writer ever. He was funnier than Jerry Seinfeld. Remind them of my great column and then persuade them to start a cult that worships me, and the God of pudding snacks. And if you can’t do that, just please think of me every time someone makes a wise crack about the school, teachers, or the administrators. For all of those who have enjoyed my wacky, zany, and cooky little column I thank you for your support. For those of you who loved my column and read every issue fifty times to all of your friends, you must really have no life. Finally, to those of you who thought that my column was ridiculous, pointless, and meaningless, I thank you. That’s exactly what I was aiming for. All too often we as students are pressured by a society that only stresses facts and figures; without a little nonsense here and there we would all go crazy, kill our parents and go on “Jerry Springer” to explain how it wasn’t our fault.
I leave you with these precious words spoken by my hero, Willy Wonka: “A little nonsense now and then, is relished by the wisest man.”
SUMMER SCHOOL--IT’S A DIRTY JOB BUT SOMEONE’S GOT TO DO ITOpinion by Sarah Gama
June 6, 1997
Once again it’s time for summer school to come around, time to get those credits that you’ll need in order to graduate. Most people go to summer school because of their lack of performance during the recent school year. Other people go because they want to get ahead in credits just to be on the right track for graduation.
Like all things, there are some disadvantages and advantages of summer school. One point that needs to be made is that if students wouldn’t mess around as much as they do during the school year, then there really wouldn’t be any need to go unless you’re in need of credits. An advantage of summer school is that there are fewer students who come, and the teachers get paid for working in the summer.
Freshman Kathleen Garcia says she’s going to summer school “To help get ahead in my credits.”
Some students who don’t attend summer school here attend at a college or at another high school. Junior Leslee Pendergraft says, “I hope that summer school will help me learn more so that I will do better on my SAT’s.”
Summer school could be good or bad, however you experience it, but I think it’s a chance that you can’t let pass by because it will come back in the long run, when you find out that you need a certain amount of credits to graduate.
THE PEPPER SHAKERColumn by Vicky Wray
June 6. 1997
Good-bye teachers, good-bye books, good-bye student parking lot, good-bye graffiti, and good-bye to all those inspiring messages on the walls of the girls bathroom. How will I ever survive without all these things to brighten my day? What will I do without the announcements every morning, the crowded lunch lines, and the everlasting struggle to get out of the student parking lot after school? What am I going to do with myself? If I didn’t know better, I’d say I’ll miss this place.
Who knew that the class of 1997 would turn out so interesting? We came on campus in September of 1993, trying to conquer our fears and remember our hopes and fantasies of high school. There we were, freshpeople--lost, geeky, and clueless. With our folders in one hand, and that nifty little map they gave us in the other, we were ready to face a high school career. Little did we know that we would be growing and maturing yet still being held back by all the new rules, rules which we had no control over or say in when they were being decided. Who knew we would be the class to cause a revolution, to start water fights only to be cited by the police a month before school is out, and to have more than 40 percent of its seniors not sitting with us on the field at 7:30 next Thursday?
What is it we think of when we are asked about the class of 1997? Do we think of the prom at the Anaheim Sheraton with a DJ who obviously was doing it for the first time? Do we think of the fact that we were promised off-campus lunch for three years and then the month before we were to start our senior year, it was taken away from us? Do we think of the walkout and how much good it actually did for us? Do we remember junior high and how all the friends we made then are almost completely different than the ones we have now? Or are we thinking of the fact that we have had such an easy ride and now it only gets worse (or better, depending on how full your glass is)?
What we think of is the fact that we won’t be required to get up earlier than noon on any day of the week. That’s my fairy tale dream. Sleep sounds incredible right about now.
All I can say is that it’s been one experience that I won’t forget. The riots, the fights, the misspelled words at pep assemblies (COLON), the homework, and of course the jailers, I mean teachers. Good-bye beautiful people, take care of yourselves, because I won’t be here to do it for you any longer.
THE UNKNOWN CHILD--WHAT COULD WE HAVE DONE?Opinion by Emily Le May
June 6, 1997
An adolescent boy sat silently in class, slightly aloof, staring off into the distance. Never a problem for his teachers, he just sat back and observed the others around him. Nobody knew if he had any problems, because he didn’t take advantage of those who offered help. Perhaps it was because he thought nobody cared. Perhaps it was because no one offered to help.
A Colton High student took his own life recently. Friends said he always seemed carefree, happy, and never complained. Others said he was quiet, somewhat shy and just sort of blended in.
Whatever personality traits he had, his death seriously impacted the school.
When I learned what had happened to this kid, I was shocked. I never knew him personally, but I knew who he was. We had many mutual friends and I saw him on a daily basis.
Now, I can all but wonder whether or not he needed a friend, or just someone to talk to. I can’t help but wonder what would have happened had I gone out of my way to say hello, or tried to be his friend.
Basically, what it all boils down to is this: you never know when somebody feels so overwhelmed that they think suicide is their only possible solution. Sometimes a person will boast about ending their life before they actually follow through with it; sometimes it comes as a complete shock. It is all too common that we hear of the death of a fellow peer though they seemed perfectly fine when we may have just seen them a day ago, or even a couple of hours ago.
Perhaps if we could all let our friends know that no matter what, we are here for them, and will always listen to them, we may be able to prevent a tragedy like this from happening again. As the old cliché goes: looks can be decieving. We never know when somebody is silently crying for help or looking for a simple solution to put an end to their problems. Let it be known that suicide solves nothing, and results in even more sadness, more grief, and more suffering. As they say, it’s a permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Reach out and be a friend. You’ll never know how much you may be helping someone.
THINK OF US FOR A CHANGE
Opinion by Matt Gomez
June 6, 1997
Well kids, another year has come and gone and the school year rapidly brought about changes to better the conditions that we have to go through every day.
Oh wait a minute, that never happened.
I have been at this school for the last three years and while I’ve spent my time in this prison . . oops . . . I meant school, I have noticed the decline of simple little pleasures that students used to have.
A big issue this year was the off campus lunch policy that they did have for seniors for many years, but was yanked from the seniors this year. While the school board says it’s for our personal safety and for us to eat some “wholesome” lunch at our school, it’s just a common example of our elders and betters trying to take away some of the little pleasures we have while going through a tough day.
Yes, it seems that year by year Colton High is trying to take away what few pleasures that we have. They are constantly enforcing a strict dress code which really doesn’t make sense to any of the students, but the administration “knows” it’s the right thing to do. Why don’t we listen to them? After all, they know what gang apparel is by being in their offices all day and not being on school grounds to even get a glimpse of campus life and student interaction. They know what’s right for us, don’t they?
Year by year we’re slowly losing our rights. Our school year is being made harder and harder. I am almost positive that a uniform policy will be in effect in the next three years. We need to recognize that our school board can barely maintain a school campus let alone our lives. We never have all of our bathrooms open. They are constantly sending our students to the office for simple violations such as a girl’s shirt is too high; and then she sits in the Assistant Principal’s office for an hour and a half before they tell her that she needs to change her shirt and then go back to class. What our school needs to realize is that the students are here to learn, which I’ll bet is far from what they think. Maybe if you treated some of us with a little respect and dignity we would be a lot happier in this environment and it would make things a whole lot easier for all of us.
We’re not asking for that much. A couple of open, clean bathrooms would be a nice start. You could be a little more lenient on our dress code and really take into consideration that we are adults that will be going to the “real world” very soon. So why don’t you treat us like adults and at least let us get an off campus lunch? The first step to us trusting you is for you to trust us. We as students ask for a little consideration in the daily life we have to go through. Please think about us when you drive to your favorite In-N-Out fast food restaurant and go to the bathroom in a nice sterile bathroom. Remember us here eating our day-old pizzas and holding our stomachs as we anxiously wait until the day is over so we can rush home and use our own bathroom. Think of us.
UNITY CONFERENCE LIVES UP TO ITS NAMEby Lorin Burleson
June 6, 1997
Hugs, smiles, laughter and tears were some of the reactions of participants at the two U.N.I.T.Y. forums that have been held this year.
April 16 and May 16 have been very special dates this school year. The U.N.I.T.Y. program began when some concerned faculty and students realized the need for a better understanding amongst those of us who attend Colton High. The objective of U.N.I.T.Y. is to open communication lines and hopefully influence the campus as a whole as a reflection of this understanding.
Faculty and administration involved in the project were optimistic about the outcome of U.N.I.T.Y. but some were a little skeptic. Peer assistant advisor and U.N.I.T.Y. organizer Carol Miller wanted the forum to have a positive impact on those who participated. “I knew it would work,” she said, “I was just concerned because of the largeness of the group and the importance of the activity.”
Students as well were unsure of the forum. “I didn’t know exactly what U.N.I.T.Y. involved”, said Sophomore Jenny Abuelsood, “but now that I have gone to both forums, I realize how this can have a positive effect on the whole school. The more people involved the better.”
Many would claim that this sounds like a difficult if not impossible task to undertake. Peer assistant and senior Hector Torres feels that something needs to be done and U.N.I.T.Y. seems to be a successful solution. “I’m sure most of us have noticed the segregation on our campus and our goal was to breakdown some common reasons why students seem so confined to a particular group.”
Overall, both forums have gone well and those who attended the first gladly returned for the next. “I met people I wouldn’t have the opportunity to otherwise. It’s a really neat experience. I say ‘hi’ to them in the halls now,” said Abuelsood. “The discussions definately create a bond, a closeness.”
What can U.N.I.T.Y. bring to this campus? U.N.I.T.Y. is extremely beneficial for this campus,” said Miller. “I’m in the process of trying to get donations from Kiwanas and other groups to keep the forum going. I want to get as many people involved in the forum as possible.”
AVID COORDINATOR SHAW SAYS FAREWELLby Joanne Flores
June 6, 1997
Fourteen years ago a teacher by the name of Vivian Shaw came to Colton High to teach english and install the goal to go to college in students’ minds. She did so by starting AVID. Now, Shaw is saying farewell to the school and to the program she helmed for many years. She is leaving because her husband is taking on a new job in the Chicago area.
AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a program designed to provide students with academic instruction and other support in preperation for eligibility to a four year college or university, particularly the University of California and California State University systems. Shaw has taught AVID for six years now. No AVID program exists in the Illinois area but Shaw says she would love to start one if the schools would let her. That way she could continue to share the gift of learning and determination to get into a good school and enrich minds.
Shaw’s departure leaves a gaping hole in the AVID program, one that will have to be filled for next year. “No one can take my spot, but they’re considering several people for my position,” Shaw said.
She feels awful about leaving but she must be with her family. She feels awful for the juniors who are going to be seniors next year, since she won’t be here for their senior year. “I’m very sad that Mrs. Shaw is leaving,” said junior Leticia Martinez. “She has been a tremendous influence on my goals. She has pushed me to do my best and I am very grateful. Mrs. Shaw has been a part of my life for 3 years and her presence will be missed by all of the AVID students, but especially by the AVID class of ‘98.”
Freshman Kenya Gray, who has only had Shaw this year, nevertheless will miss her. “I’m sad,” said Gray. “I’ve only been with her for a year but still I’ll miss her.”
HOW CAN I HELP?Spurred on by recent calls to arms by the President and other national leaders, volunteering has suddenly become the cool thing to do. Here’s ways in which you can get involved.
by Ana Gonzalez
June 6, 1997
President John F. Kennedy once said, ”Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” These precious words were said almost four decades ago, but they still have a significant meaning in our society today.
Some wonder if volunteering is worth the time; others wonder why this country does not have enough volunteers.
Throughout this century, a large part of this country’s programs have depended on volunteering to aid social problems. However, lately there has been a significant decrease in this number. This low statistic may be attributed to the fact that citizens live on the idea that “they really don’t make a difference.”
The cover story of theApril 28 issue of U.S. News asks “Is Volunteering A Waste Of Time?” It points out certain facts that have been made of volunteering.
According to a poll taken by the magazine, 20% of those who had volunteered in the past year said they had cut back because they weren’t sure if their work was helping solve a problem.
Many times those who volunteer do not get to see a direct result for their work. Thus, they are discouraged and stop volunteering. The best kind of volunteer work is perhaps the one-on-one type. This enables the volunteerer to see the effect of their work right away, and not be discouraged like the others. Yet, only 5% of volunteers perform this type of work.
Tutoring and mentoring are the best forms of one-to-one work, according to experts. Though, other types of effective volunteer work include being a friend to one with learning, mental, or physical disabilities, doing hospital work, helping children and young people out with problems, and giving advice.
“There are many things people can do to give back to their communities,” said librarian Irene of the Luque Library, a branch of the Colton City Library. “The Literacy program, for example, gives someone an opportunity to teach a kid or an adult how to read.”
Along with the benefits the person being helped may receive, there are also advantages for the one who volunteers. Some of these include, but are not limited to, meeting new people and getting the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile. Plus, it looks good on resumes and college applications, something that never hurts for a high school student.
Colleges today are very interested in a student’s community service, counselors have said all year long. Perhaps this is why it is a good idea to go out and do some volunteer work this summer.
But if you want to volunteer, where do you start? That’s easy.
There are countless things a person can do that are considered volunteer work. The school’s Key Club, for example, has a long history of volunteer work, and dedicates its time to fulfilling community service.
“Our purpose is to help the community,” said Key Club President and junior Adeline Ramirez. “It not only helps others, but I also get something out of it too. I definitely recommend others to volunteer.”
Volunteering has even been a key issue in politics lately. A President’s Summit For America’s Future was held two months ago in Philadelphia. Summit leader Colin Powell, President Clinton, former President Bush, tap dancer Savion Glover, Oprah Winfrey, John Travolta, Tony Bennet, LL Cool J, and Brooke Shields are just few of the people who attended the conference.
The purpose of this conference was not only to thank volunteers from around the country, but also to publicize volunteerism. With the cutback on government money to fund social works programs, the government is relying on do-gooders throughout the country to help.
As Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich once said, “If all 200 million Americans gave three hours a month, there would be 600 million voluntary hours a month to find a child and teach it to read, a drug addict to get off drugs, or a poor person how to be profitable.”
WU-TANG CLAN SETS HIP-HOP STANDARD WITH NEW CD RELEASEReview by Matt Gomez
June 6, 1997
And the saga continues! Straight from Shaolin comes the depth of the Wu! Yes rap fans, your long wait is over! Wu Tang Clan is all together and back with their second CD Wu Tang Forever. Yes the Clan is back. U-God, Method Man, Ghostface Killa, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, RZA, GZA, Inspektah Deck, Raekwon, and Masta Killa are back with fat rhymes and tight beats provided by the one and only RZA.
The Wu has come forth with a new double CD titled Wu Tang Forever. While on their break from working together as a full group, many members put out their own solo albums to help ease the time. But now they’re back and with a vengeance. In many of the songs on this album they feel they need to define the styles they come up with. They give a message to all the “fake” rappers that try to use R&B beats. They talk about representin’ real hip hop in it’s purest form. This is one CD that you can sit back and listen to and enjoy without hearing some talk about stupid coast wars and “gat pullin.” This truly is hip hop in its purest form. The first CD basically shows how much the Wu excels in their verbal attacks. The lyrical speed of each member truly surpasses just about every other rapper I’ve heard. My personal favorite on the first CD is “Reunited.” It’s basically a hard hitting song with the whole Clan and it’s just one tight flowing song with awesome beats.
The second CD is basically a “have fun” type where the Clan shows off their hard styles but try to have fun with them. It’s a CD about the lighter side of “street life.” The only track that tries to get a message across is “Closing.” It’s a spoken message from one of the Clan to all the fake rappers out there with their “R&B” type beats trying to act hard. Now I don’t want to draw conclusions here but to me it sounded like they’re trying to start a war with some other label. . . Bad Boy? I don’t know for sure so listen and decide for yourself.
I can’t say enough about this CD. Oh yes, there is one more thing. This CD is what is called an Enhanced CD, which means you can play it on your computer and enjoy all sorts of cool graphics. So while you’re listening to Disc 2, you can have fun entering the Wu Mansion and learning about your favorite Clan members. All I have to say is that the Wu pulled out all the stops on this album and are ready for battle in the 9-7!